Local campus offers high school, college courses

Erica ZuccoMarch 13, 2018 06:35 AM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Albuquerque Public Schools says it offers a high school that boasts the district’s highest graduation rate, the highest state grading scores in the district, and an offer of two years’ worth of free college coursework – and it still has spaces open for students.

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High school junior Erica Elwell knows what she wants and how to get there.

“I want to become a registered dietitian who specializes specifically in eating disorders and pregnancies and this is helping me because I'm going to graduate with my associate's in liberal arts, nutrition and I'm trying to get psychology as well,” Elwell said.

That’s thanks to College and Career High School. Students take both high school requirements with APS teachers and college courses through Central New Mexico Community College, free of charge.

Along with small class sizes – 15-20 students per class for high school level coursework – the small school offers an academic coach and a high school counselor.

“It can be pretty stressful as a fifteen year old taking college classes, so it's important for us to really focus on the whole student,” said counselor Yesenia Beltran.

Even with all the perks, the school is still taking applicants. Right now, it offers tenth grade and up, and it can be hard to attract students to switch schools after freshman year. But Elwell says for her, it was worth it.

“I'll already be so much ahead and I'll go into college and into a different college already having the core classes I need so once I go there I can just jump into the classes,” Elwell said.

The school will add ninth grade in 2019. For now, they invite families to tour campus and sit in on classes to see if it could be a good fit. To set up a tour, call 505-224-4881.